1 Month In - Thinking of going MBP

[boltjames]

The summary is that for the first time in my history of 15 years of Apple products, there's no product being sold in the laptop line that excites me to own. This is a new and disappointing feeling for me.

It's a dying class of product, so don't feel so bad. It's sort of like the iPod which over time became a feature, not a product. For what most of us used to need a notebook for we now have phones and tablets to accomplish. The RMB is an attempt to make a final best-in-class notebook circa 2015 not 2005.

BJ

 

[JoePa2624]

It's a dying class of product, so don't feel so bad. It's sort of like the iPod which over time became a feature, not a product. For what most of us used to need a notebook for we now have phones and tablets to accomplish. The RMB is an attempt to make a final best-in-class notebook circa 2015 not 2005.

BJ

To some level I have to disagree. I can't replace a laptop with a tablet because it lacks the 2 essential components: keyboard and trackpad. Even the Surface Pro 3 misses here because neither the keyboard or trackpad is very good.

Once that gets sorted out, maybe. But until then I'll keep using a laptop.

 

[PDFierro]

To some level I have to disagree. I can't replace a laptop with a tablet because it lacks the 2 essential components: keyboard and trackpad. Even the Surface Pro 3 misses here because neither the keyboard or trackpad is very good.

Once that gets sorted out, maybe. But until then I'll keep using a laptop.

Agreed. I love using a desktop OS and I love using a laptop. I am glad that Macs haven't changed. And while laptop sales are dying, the Macs sales numbers have stayed pretty solid. It's a very small part of Apple's business now, but they make enough to keep it going.

At least in my opinion, OS X is the only true desktop OS remaining. None of that Windows 8 and beyond crap. And it'll be a long time before Macs have touch screens.

Some of us actually need to get work done on our computers. And a smartphone/tablet won't suffice for that. And I'm grateful that Macs still allow us to do that.

 

[JoePa2624]

My return date expires on Tuesday for the rMB so I'm sitting here using the rMB next to my Intel-i7 2015 MBPr to see which one I'll be sticking with long-term.

decisions, decisions...

 

[rambler358]

My return date expires on Tuesday for the rMB so I'm sitting here using the rMB next to my Intel-i7 2015 MBPr to see which one I'll be sticking with long-term.

decisions, decisions...

Place your bets people!

Is that the 13" or 15" rMBP? At any rate, it probably depends on if it's a primary or secondary computer, and if you need ultra-portability.

I briefly played with the 15" rMBP, but its brick-like portability was a no-go for me.

 

[JoePa2624]

Place your bets people!

Is that the 13" or 15" rMBP? At any rate, it probably depends on if it's a primary or secondary computer, and if you need ultra-portability.

I briefly played with the 15" rMBP, but its brick-like portability was a no-go for me.

Sorry, 13" MBPr.

 

[seong]

Place your bets people!

Is that the 13" or 15" rMBP? At any rate, it probably depends on if it's a primary or secondary computer, and if you need ultra-portability.

I briefly played with the 15" rMBP, but its brick-like portability was a no-go for me.

If the MBA ever had retina display, I would have gone for it in a heart beat but it never happened for three years until now. I'm just waiting for someone to buy the rMBP 15" at this point haha, and I'll be happy to sell this any day now that I have rMB.

 

[newellj]

To some level I have to disagree. I can't replace a laptop with a tablet because it lacks the 2 essential components: keyboard and trackpad. Even the Surface Pro 3 misses here because neither the keyboard or trackpad is very good.

Once that gets sorted out, maybe. But until then I'll keep using a laptop.

But those are literally marginal problems. Solving them does not present huge, or expensive, obstacles.

 

[zhenya]

But those are literally marginal problems. Solving them does not present huge, or expensive, obstacles.

How do you mean? The Surface is fundamentally a different device if not paired to its companion keyboard, which is the problem with which he's complaining. For the end user, it's a huge obstacle because no other satisfactory solution exists. For Microsoft it's expensive because they have already spent a ton of money on the Surface project, and the improvements to the keyboard and trackpad have only been incremental over every revision. The entire Windows PC industry in fact has been trying for years to build a trackpad that is as good as one from Apple circa 2005 or so.

 

[maflynn]

To some level I have to disagree. I can't replace a laptop with a tablet because it lacks the 2 essential components: keyboard and trackpad. Even the Surface Pro 3 misses here because neither the keyboard or trackpad is very good.

Once that gets sorted out, maybe. But until then I'll keep using a laptop.

I have a SP3, and the keyboard is fine (the trackpad is indeed awful). I find the SP3 to a be a great computer and much easier to travel with then a laptop imo.

 

[matt2053]

I really loved my Macbook, but last night I exchanged it for a 13" MBPro.

It was going to be my second hardware swap for a faulty keyboard key. I told the guy at the genius bar I really wanted to love the MB, but it was frustrating and a letdown to have to make yet another warranty replacement. He offered to swap it for a MBP, even though I was outside the return period. I accepted.

I'll try v2 next year perhaps as a 2nd machine. We'll see. I want to love it!

 

[JoePa2624]

I have a SP3, and the keyboard is fine (the trackpad is indeed awful). I find the SP3 to a be a great computer and much easier to travel with then a laptop imo.

Don't get me wrong, I think the SP3 is a fantastic device. I owned one for a while and it was a true laptop replacement. However, I sold it for a MacBook because the trackpad was god awful and the keyboard was mediocre at best. My keyboard also began having issues where key presses wouldn't register.

Those issues combined with the fact that I hated Windows 8, and I decided to move back to Mac. Plus the SP3 is more expensive than a MBPr when configured the same. Made the decision even easier.

 

[boltjames]

To some level I have to disagree. I can't replace a laptop with a tablet because it lacks the 2 essential components: keyboard and trackpad. Even the Surface Pro 3 misses here because neither the keyboard or trackpad is very good.

Once that gets sorted out, maybe. But until then I'll keep using a laptop.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that notebooks will vanish. The world needs keyboards, they're not going away. But what I am saying is that as a class of product there are no more great horizons to explore as far as functionality goes. The RMB with its screen resolution, thinness, weight, new keyboard, new port protocol, battery life, that's pretty awesome in today's world.....there isn't much new ground to cover beyond this.

So to the OP and his issues with not being "wowed" by any Apple notebook circa 2015, my answer sums it up. It's a very mature product category and there are no more breakthru's coming, only iterations. And the good news, if he chose to listen to it, is that as with any other mature category these iterations tend to lead to so many different variations that it becomes very easy to find the perfect product for each individual. Apple now has desktop class notebooks, student class notebooks, and travel class notebooks, all are customizable with drives and processors and colors, I can't see how anyone can complain.

BJ

 

[newellj]

How do you mean? The Surface is fundamentally a different device if not paired to its companion keyboard, which is the problem with which he's complaining. For the end user, it's a huge obstacle because no other satisfactory solution exists. For Microsoft it's expensive because they have already spent a ton of money on the Surface project, and the improvements to the keyboard and trackpad have only been incremental over every revision. The entire Windows PC industry in fact has been trying for years to build a trackpad that is as good as one from Apple circa 2005 or so.

What I mean is that solving the keyboard problem he cites should be well within current engineering capabilities. It's not like trying to go from 14nm to 10nm at commercial scale, for example - no exotic technology or manufacturing leaps should be required to improve the keyboard (although the rMB keyboard raises the question whether there may be physical limitations that clever design and manufacturing can't overcome - we will see).

 

[ColdShadow]

I said this before the Retina Macbook is the WORST laptop Apple ever made.there is no argue,it's all about looks and style,but it terms of performance and function it sucks big time.
slow,under-powered,and extremely compromised.

 

[rambler358]

I said this before the Retina Macbook is the WORST laptop Apple ever made.there is no argue,it's all about looks and style,but it terms of performance and function it sucks big time.
slow,under-powered,and extremely compromised.

In your opinion, and perhaps some others. But many are quite happy with it for THEIR needs. If it's not for you - fine, don't get it. No one is forcing you to buy one.

 

[ColdShadow]

In your opinion, and perhaps some others. But many are quite happy with it for THEIR needs. If it's not for you - fine, don't get it. No one is forcing you to buy one.

There is no real substitute (MBP kinda bulky and heavy,MBA low res screen)so people have the right to be disappointed.you can't just say "don't buy it if you don't like it".people were waiting for a true successor to Macbook Air eagerly,an improved model with retina screen,sadly turns out it's just a eye candy toy model that lacks performance and functionality.slower,weaker than MBA with huge compromise.

 

[JoePa2624]

There is no real substitute (MBP kinda bulky and heavy,MBA low res screen)so people have the right to be disappointed.you can't just say "don't buy it if you don't like it".people were waiting for a true successor to Macbook Air eagerly,an improved model with retina screen,sadly turns out it's just a eye candy toy model that lacks performance and functionality.slower,weaker than MBA with huge compromise.

I've never owned a MBA and can't say if it's slower or weaker, but I can tell you that I have zero compromise coming from a MacBook Pro. This computer is awesome, plain and simple. Is it for you? Doesn't seem like it. But to make such a generalization is a bit inappropriate. I could argue that $1400 for a MBA is a complete waste of money, but each person has their own needs.

 

[jimboutilier]

There is no real substitute (MBP kinda bulky and heavy,MBA low res screen)so people have the right to be disappointed.you can't just say "don't buy it if you don't like it".people were waiting for a true successor to Macbook Air eagerly,an improved model with retina screen,sadly turns out it's just a eye candy toy model that lacks performance and functionality.slower,weaker than MBA with huge compromise.

Sound's like you were hoping for a MBA with a larger retina screen in the same sized package (as were a lot of folks - including me). I expect Apple figured out there was no way to do that currently without making compromises that would hurt sales of current popular products (either in terms of computing power and/or battery life and/or cost).

So they bundled all their learnings and tech into a new product and resurrected the plain Macbook (no Air, no Pro) line. It seems to be a pretty polarizing product with more people loving or hating it and fewer people in the middle. Its not a product for everyone and many will find the rMBP or MBA a better (if not perfect) choice for them. Thats not surprising as the more "extreme" a product is, in any direction, the less mass appeal it has.

While I understand your disappointment and that it does not meet your needs, declaring "it's just a eye candy toy model that lacks performance and functionality.slower,weaker than MBA with huge compromise" seems to fly in the face of demand and the preponderance of positive feedback for this product on this forum.

As someone who makes an excellent living with a rMB as my primary computer, I can assure you that, for some, its not just a toy. And while there is no denying it is less powerful and more limited than a MBA in some respects, in other respects its more powerful and less limited. For some, the tradeoffs make it a better machines and for others a worse machine. Blanket statements in either direction aren't very helpful to others. But everyone always appreciates the details on what made it a good fit or bad fit for a particular person.

Hopefully soon, tech will catch up enough, and Apple will perceive enough demand for what you are looking for.

 

[boltjames]

There is no real substitute (MBP kinda bulky and heavy,MBA low res screen)so people have the right to be disappointed.you can't just say "don't buy it if you don't like it".people were waiting for a true successor to Macbook Air eagerly,an improved model with retina screen,sadly turns out it's just a eye candy toy model that lacks performance and functionality.slower,weaker than MBA with huge compromise.

The RMB is made for a wealthy traveling business executive.

If that's not you, no surprise you don't like it. The MBA is too big and heavy to be taken seriously as a travel notebook.

BJ

 

[JoePa2624]

The RMB is made for a wealthy traveling business executive.

BJ

Can I qualify as 3 out of those 4? I'm still waiting on the wealthy

 

[boltjames]

I've never owned a MBA and can't say if it's slower or weaker, but I can tell you that I have zero compromise coming from a MacBook Pro. This computer is awesome, plain and simple. Is it for you? Doesn't seem like it. But to make such a generalization is a bit inappropriate. I could argue that $1400 for a MBA is a complete waste of money, but each person has their own needs.

Here's the thing, Joe:

For reasons unknown, some people think that the end-all for a notebook is to be "big and powerful" as if that's the only justification for its existence. If it's not powerful enough to run heavy media and gaming apps, it's a dog. If it's a touch slower to export a movie file, it sucks. You know those types. It's as if the downsizing of hardware and the specializing of functions of the iOS revolution never happened, notebooks are some sacred cow that can't be segmented.

I wouldn't be caught dead dragging around a MBP or a MBA on flights, at trade shows, in airports, at hotels. For all the reasons others praise those machines I condemn them. Processor speed we never use? Screen sizes that are too big? Batteries that are too heavy? Ports that increase depth? Keyboards that increase width? Pathetic. Awful. Welcome to 1999.

There are desktop-class notebooks and there are travel-class notebooks. The reason the MBP and MBA crowd react negatively to the RMB is because they are locked in their cubicles or dorms and don't understand the needs of the elite business executive who owns two notebooks- workhorse for the office, ultralight for the road. For us, the RMB is the only Apple notebook we'd ever consider owning. Carrying around a brick like an MBP and the now-defunct MBA is not an option.

BJ

 

[shenan1982]

I said this before the Retina Macbook is the WORST laptop Apple ever made.there is no argue,it's all about looks and style,but it terms of performance and function it sucks big time.
slow,under-powered,and extremely compromised.

Clearly your experience is limited with Apple laptops. There have been FAR worse. Don't get me wrong, the rMB leaves much to be desired, but it's definitely far from the worst. Your comments indicate you don't know the history of Apple laptops very well. They've had some pretty nasty blunders.

 

[shenan1982]

How can you use a MBA considering it is so heavy, thick, and wide? Surely you don't carry it anywhere with its bulk and poor battery performance. So it's really just a toy iMac which is what you really need.

BJ

Who change topics to a MBA? You ought to pay more attention to what's going on. ;-)

 

[JoePa2624]

Zero compromise? Are you that technologically illiterate? Even the user who just turns it on and turns it off and doesn't do anything with it has compromise -- boot speed. And that's before you even use it.

I have had my rMB and my Core i7 13' MBPr side-by-side on my desk for the last couple of days to compare and see if I was going to keep my rMB or return it. For the way I use my computer, I can't see much of a noticeable difference in performance. Apps open slightly faster on the MBPr, but it's hardly noticeable. I'll take the noticeable portability difference any day when compared to the negligible (perceived) performance difference.

Those are my experiences, and everyone's are going to be different. I don't get caught up in benchmark scores, or measure the time (or bounces) it takes to open an app. I use a computer the way I use a computer. And given the way I use my computer, this thing is rock solid.